Shower assemblies

ABSTRACT

A shower base assembly comprises a base with an outlet opening ( 12 ) for drainage, and a drain plate ( 14 ) for fitting in the outlet opening. The plate ( 14 ) itself has a drain opening ( 16 ) for directing water to discharge ducting. The opening ( 16 ) is located eccentrically on the drain plate ( 14 ). The plate can be adapted to fit at the outlet opening ( 12 ) in different rotational orientations to locate the drain opening ( 16 ) at different positions relative to the outlet-opening axis.

This invention relates to shower assemblies, and particularly to shower base or shower tray assemblies. Primarily but not exclusively, assemblies to which the invention is applicable are for domestic installations.

Showers are commonly provided as individual units installed in a bathroom or similar room in a completed or partially completed building. In such units a cubicle must be created, and a fundamental component of the cubicle is the shower base. The base does of course have a drain, which directs water from the shower to discharge ducting. Where possible, such discharge ducting is preferably located below floor level, and within the existing building structure. Typically, the floor structure will comprise a number of spaced joists, and the space between them is often used to accommodate items such as central heating and gas pipes, and electrical wiring of various types. While these items can normally be moved or re-routed to accommodate discharge ducting from a shower, joists cannot. A problem arises therefore when the outlet opening from a shower base is located at or proximate a joist in the floor on which it is to be mounted.

According to the present invention a shower base assembly comprises a base with an outlet opening having an axis, and a drain plate for fitting at the outlet opening. The drain plate has a drain opening for directing water from the base to discharge ducting, but the drain opening is located eccentrically on the drain plate. The drain plate is preferably adapted to fit at the outlet opening in different rotational orientations relative to the outlet opening axis. With this feature the drain opening can be selectively located at different positions relative to the outlet opening axis. Thus, when the base is fitted, and the outlet opening is seen to be located over a joist, the drain plate can be fitted in such an orientation that the drain opening from the plate is over one side or the other of the respective joist. To ensure that an interfering joist can be avoided in this way, the eccentricity of the drain opening in the drain plate should be at least the diameter of the discharge ducting. This is not normally greater than the width of the joist, and generally we have found an eccentricity of at least 5 cm is sufficient. However, it will be appreciated that it is only in the drain plate that the drain opening is eccentrically located, and installers can have a variety of drain plates available, with openings at different eccentricities to accommodate most foreseeable circumstances.

In assemblies according to the invention, the drain plate is normally supported on an upper surface of the base. To provide a number of available rotational orientations, the upper surface of the base of the lower surface of the drain plate define complementary regions on circular paths which engage when the plate is fitted. In one variant on this embodiment, the plate is rotatable with the region in engagement. However, the regions may have complementary profiles that precludes relative rotation while they are engaged but allows them to be engaged in manners which define a plurality of discrete rotational orientations. Discrete orientations of this kind can be made available where the lines or paths of engagement of the drain plate and base are other than circular. For example, a square or rectangular drain plate could be fitted in a complementary opening in the shower base providing respectively four or two different orientations of an eccentrically located drain opening.

Notwithstanding the above, in preferred embodiments of the invention the drain plate has a circular rim that engages a circular ledge on the base when fitted at the outlet opening. The ledge is typically bounded by an outer cylindrical wall, and the wall can be of a height and have a profile similar to the thickness of the drain plate rim such that the base and plate define a substantially continuous surface at the junction therebetween. Thus, floor ribs, dimples or other features of the base surface including anti-slip features, can extend onto the drain plate surface.

Many shower bases are formed in cast or moulded ceramic, and their orientation in a shower installation is often predetermined. The present invention is of particular benefit in such situations, and the drain plate can of course be moulded or cast in a material that is matching or complementary to that of the shower base. Shower bases can also take the form of trays moulded for example in a reinforced plastics material while the orientation of such trays in the installation is not always predetermined to the same extent, the same problems as those discussed above do arise.

In another aspect of the invention, a shower base comprises a tray with a base section and a rim. In order to facilitate horizontal installation of the unit, the rim is fitted with a level monitoring device. Normally there will be at least two such devices, on opposite sides of the base, and if the rim has a plurality of linear sections, a level monitoring device is preferably fitted in each of at least two of those section. Simple embodiments of the invention in this respect are shower bases in which the rim is square or rectangular. In these embodiments a level monitoring device will be fitted in each of at least one pair of opposite sides, normally in each of both pairs. A suitable level monitoring device for use in this aspect of the invention is a spirit level vial.

The fitting of a shower base with a level monitoring device as described above obviates the need to have some additional level monitoring device available when the base is being installed. Bearing in mind also the difficult and sometimes rather cramped circumstances in which showers are installed, this can be a considerable benefit.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a shower base assembly comprises a tray having a base section and a rim with a plurality of linear sections; and at least two elongate elements for mounting on a base structure for the tray, and supporting the tray along two linear rim sections. This aspect of the invention provides a means by which a shower base or more particularly a shower tray can be supported between or on joists in a building by creating a support structure extending between adjacent or a series of adjacent joists. This is particularly useful for shower trays which inherently have a degree of flexibility. By providing this additional support the distortion of the tray during use is reduced, and of course this reduced amount of movement reduces movement elsewhere in the associated plumbing.

In this aspect of the invention the elongate elements can themselves be of adjustable length. For example, they may take the form of telescopically engaged components. As noted above, they may be mounted on or between adjacent joists, and blocks may be included if any height adjustment is required.

The invention will now be described by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a shower base according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the shower base of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a detailed cross-sectional view at A in FIG. 1, showing the junction between the periphery of the drain plate and the shower base.

The shower base shown in FIG. 1 is in the form of a rectangular tray. The tray has a rim consisting of two short sides 2 and two long sides 4, each of which is fitted with a spirit level vial 6 to facilitate levelling of the tray during installation. The base section of the tray consists of four segments 8,10 which converge respectively from the short sides 2 and the long sides 4 of the tray towards an outlet opening 12 (FIG. 2). Fitted in the outlet opening 12 is a drain plate 14 having an additional drain opening 16. Each of the outlet opening and the drain plate is circular, with the drain opening 16 being located eccentrically relative to the common axis of the drain opening and drain plate.

As can best be seen in the detailed view of FIG. 3, the periphery of the drain plate 14 is a circular rim or flange 18 which engages a circular ledge 20 around the periphery of the outlet opening 12. The rim 18 and ledge 20 define complementary circular paths which as can be seen, engage when the plate 14 is fitted. In the embodiment shown, the plate 14 can be rotated once fitted, prior to being secured and sealed, to orient the drain opening 16 in the plate 14 relative to the axis of the outlet opening 12. It will though, be appreciated that the paths could have surfaces that do not permit relative movement once engaged, but are engageable to define a plurality of discrete rotational orientations.

The periphery of the flange 18 is in juxtaposition with a cylindrical wall 22 bounding the ledge 20. The height of the wall 22 and the thickness of the flange 18 are matched to form a substantially smooth continuous surface at the junction between the segments 8,10 and the drain plate 14. Once the orientation of the drain plate 14 has been selected and established, the junction between the rim 18 and ledge 20 will be sealed. Normally the seal will be established between the engaged horizontal surfaces rather than vertical surfaces.

Installation of a shower base of the kind illustrated is quite straightforward, and particularly so when each of opposite sides 2 or 4 of the base can be supported directly on a joist. However, even if that is possible it leaves the other pair of sides relatively unsupported, and if the shower base is a tray formed in moulded reinforced plastics, there could be considerable flexure during use. To meet this problem an additional elongate element (not shown) is disposed under of two sides (2 or 4) of the rim with the element itself being supported at each end on a joist. The elongate elements can be of adjustable length to ensure they properly extend between relevant joists. Typically, each elongate element comprises telescopically engaged components.

Installation of a shower base of the kind illustrated and described above is quite straightforward. Initial inspection of the substructure determines where the joists are, and the required orientation of the drain plate 14 in the outlet opening 12. However, the plate is not normally sealed in the opening at this stage. Because the outlet opening 12 is relatively large, the final fitment of the drain with appropriate gravity waste and discharge ducting can be delayed until the base has been fitted. Thus, as required elongate support elements can be attached under two opposed rim sides, and appropriate height adjustments made with reference to the levelling devices 6. With this satisfactorily accomplished, the shower base is set in place, and the plumbing completed. 

1. A shower base assembly comprising a base with an outlet opening having an axis, and a drain plate for fitting at the outlet opening, the drain plate having a drain opening for directing water from the base to discharge ducting, wherein the drain opening is located eccentrically on the drain plate.
 2. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the drain plate is adapted to fit at the outlet opening in different rotational orientations relative to the outlet opening axis to locate the drain opening selectively at different positions relative to the outlet opening axis.
 3. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the base has an upper surface and wherein the drain plate is supported at the upper surface.
 4. An assembly according to claim 3 wherein the upper surface of the base and a lower surface of the drain plate define complementary circular regions which engage when the plate is fitted at the outlet opening.
 5. An assembly according to claim 4 wherein the plate is rotatable with the regions in engagement.
 6. An assembly according to claim 4 wherein the regions are selectively engageable to define a plurality of discrete rotational orientations of the plate relative to the outlet opening.
 7. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the drain plate has a circular rim that engages a circular ledge on the base when fitted at the outlet opening.
 8. An assembly according to claim 7 wherein the ledge is bounded by an outer cylindrical wall.
 9. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the base is a moulded reinforced plastics tray.
 10. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the drain plate has an axis and the axis of the drain opening is spaced from the drain plate axis by at least the diameter of the discharge ducting.
 11. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the drain plate has an axis and the axis of the drain opening is spaced from the drain plate axis by at least 5 cms.
 12. A shower base comprising a tray having a base section and a rim, wherein the rim is fitted with a level monitoring device to facilitate horizontal installation.
 13. A shower tray according to claim 12 wherein the level monitoring device is a spirit level vial.
 14. A shower tray according to claim 12 or claim 13 wherein the rim has a plurality of linear sections, with a said level monitoring device fitted in each of at least two of said sections.
 15. A shower tray according to claim 14 wherein the rim is square or rectangular.
 16. A shower base assembly comprising a tray having a base section and a rim with a plurality of linear sections; and at least two elongate elements for mounting on a base structure for the tray and supporting the tray along two linear rim sections.
 17. A shower tray according to claim 16 wherein the elongate elements are each of adjustable length.
 18. A shower tray according to claim 16 wherein each element comprises telescopically engaged components.
 19. A shower base assembly comprising a base with an outlet opening having an axis, and a drain plate for fitting at the outlet opening, the drain plate having a drain opening for directing water from the base to discharge ducting, wherein the drain plate is supported on an upper surface of the base, wherein the upper surface of the base and a lower surface of the drain plate define complementary circular regions which engage when the plate is fitted at the outlet opening; and wherein the drain opening is located eccentrically on the drain plate.
 20. An assembly according to claim 19 wherein the regions are selectively engageable to define a plurality of discrete rotational orientations of the plate relative to the outlet opening. 